Facing an FCS opponent on its home field in its third game, Utah State football had a lot to prove against Weber State on Saturday.
The defending Mountain West champions had hardly looked the part to begin 2022, barely beating UConn – one of the perennially worst teams in the sport – thanks in part to a questionable penalty call that aided the Aggies.
After getting shredded by UConn’s running attack, the Aggies took a beating against No. 1 Alabama. Unfortunate, but entirely expected.
With a 1-1 record, it appeared Utah State could get back on track with games against FCS Weber State and Mountain West bottom feeder UNLV before facing rival BYU. This game was the chance to prove that the Aggies could still compete and had a lot left to play for.
Next-level humiliation
Instead, on their home field no less, Utah State was throttled by an FCS opponent. It was the first loss to an FCS school since 2000 and the first loss to the Wildcats since 1978.
It wasn’t close either, with the Wildcats winning 35-7 while handing the Aggies what could possibly be the most embarrassing loss in school history.
For the entire season thus far, the Aggies have mainly looked like a bad football team. How does a team win 11 games, a conference title, and a bowl game then lose to an FCS opponent the next season?
Who knows really? Sure they lost key players, but thanks to the transfer portal teams are now able to immediately bring in players who can contribute. Can’t use the excuse of a staff overhaul either, since the coaching staff is the same as last season.
Heading the wrong direction
What is apparent however is that this team is not anywhere near as good as last year’s, and is likely not a good team at all. This was expected last year when a new coaching staff and a load of new players came into a program coming off a 1-5 2020 Covid campaign that included a midseason coach firing.
Instead, the Aggies set the expectation level high by winning.
They clearly aren’t doing much of that this year, and one is left to wonder if Utah State is already heading backward after it appeared the program was moving forward just one season into the Blake Anderson era.
The Aggies still have time to right the ship this year, but by the way they’ve played so far, that doesn’t seem likely. At this point, they’ll be lucky if they even make a bowl game.
And if they don’t? Add it to the reasons why the 2022 Utah State football season could be the most disappointing one in the program’s history.
Up next
The Aggies (1-2) host UNLV (1-1) on Saturday, Sep. 24 to open Mountain West play. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. MT and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
